Thomas Meltesen 1881-1900

MELTESEN, RUMSEY

Posted By: The Obituary Fairy (email)
Date: 8/21/2006 at 18:50:45

The Davenport (Iowa) Weekly Leader; Friday, July 13, 1900:

Meltesen

The Final Summons

Thomas Meltesen Passes Away Last Night

Suffers Great Agony During the Last Hours - Deep Regret Felt by His Hosts of Young Friends in This City - Funeral Will be Held Friday Morning

Thomas Meltesen, nineteen year old son of Mr. And Mrs. Peter Meltesen, died last night at 10:30 o’clock with tetanus, or lock jaw. The suffering of the young man was intense during the last hours of his life. He had grown rapidly worse from the moment the very first signs of the dread disease was discovered and though the best medical aid was secured it was of no avail and the end came at the hour stated above.

“Tommie,” as he was known among his hosts of friends, among whom he was very popular, accidentally shot himself in the hand on the evening of July Fourth with a revolver, which he had asked permission to inspect from a young person to whom it belonged. He immediately went to the nearest physician and had the wound dressed. It did not seem to be very serious and he remained out with his friends that evening for some time after the accident occurred. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday he was around among his friends, being unable to work on account of his hand, and did not feel any great amount of pain. Sunday he paid a visit to a camping party of friends who have a camp on an island in the river. Monday morning he did not arise until late and when he did so, decided to wait for dinner before eating.

When he attempted to eat he discovered he could not open his mouth and was immediately impressed with the fact that he had lock jaw.

A physician was summoned and it was decided to take him immediately to Mercy hospital. He suffered some during the afternoon with muscular contractions about the neck and throat. In the evening, a number of his boy and girl friends went to the hospital to see him. With the consent of the house physician, he was permitted to go into the yard with them and they sat in a hammock during the evening, talking and laughing. Still he felt the unusual pain and muscular contractions.

As they started to leave and he attempted to arise, he was caught by a sort of muscular spasm in the back and neck, the most serious he had yet experienced. They told him that he must hurry and get well in order that he might be with them again at some frolic they were to have at Central Park. He replied that by that time, he would be resting in a park a mile or two north of there. He was admonished not to speak that way, but replied that he thought about two days would settle him. It was even shorter than that. He seemed to rest fairly well during the latter part of Monday night, but on Tuesday morning he was considerably worse. Tuesday afternoon he continued to have spasms more frequently up until the time of his death. He retained consciousness until almost the very last.

Thomas Meltesen was born in Davenport, August 24, 1881. He was 18 years, 10 months and 16 days of age and resided with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Meltesen 514 East Ninth. He is a nephew of Mrs. Byron Rumsey and his father has been a trusted employee of the Washburn-Halligan Coffee company for the past twelve years, and a year ago or more he was also employed by the company. Faithful in his work, he was given an advance in his salary but a short time ago.

He was of a happy disposition and with his friends was always the central figure in their funmaking. A favorite with them all, he was in great demand, and his sad death comes as a fearful shock to them.

Besides his bereaved parents he is survived by one sister, Miss Fannie Meltesen and the bereaved family have general sympathy. Tommie recently joined Co. A of the Illinois National Guards, Sixth Regiment, Rock Island and the members will give him a military funeral.

The funeral will be held from the residence Friday morning at 9 o’clock with services at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Interment at St. Marguerite’s cemetery.